Countdown to Rick Nash's contract expiration:

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s hockey team was placed fifth by both the coaches and media in the 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association preseason polls, the league announced Tuesday at its annual media day at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.Defending NCAA champion Michigan State was the media’s choice for the top spot in the poll, while the coaches picked Miami as the team to beat.

Jason Desantis, an OSU senior defenseman from Oxford, Mich., was voted to a spot on the Preseason All-CCHA Second Team by the league’s head coaches. He had a career-best and team-high 20 assists last year and ended the campaign with 25 points to rank fourth (tied) on the team.

Ohio State opens the 2007-08 campaign Oct. 12-13 hosting the Lefty McFadden Invitational at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The Buckeyes will face Mercyhurst in the opening round at 8:05 p.m., preceded by Wisconsin and Notre Dame at 5:05 p.m. The consolation game will be at 4:35 p.m. Oct. 13, followed by the championship tilt at 7:35 p.m.

The squad opens play at home Oct. 19 when it hosts Miami at 7:05 p.m. in Value City Arena.

2007 CCHA Preseason Polls

(#) First place votes

Media Poll

1. Michigan State (25) 701

2. Miami (21) 667

3. Notre Dame (13) 656

4. Michigan (4) 596

5. Ohio State 414

6. Nebraska-Omaha 412

7. Western Michigan 352

8. Ferris State 279

9. Lake Superior State 270

10. Northern Michigan 248

11. Alaska 212

12. Bowling Green 108

Not a terrible ranking considering all the teams above them had great years and made the Frozen Four tournament last year. The Buckeyes, who have missed the tourney the last two years, are certainly in line to bounce back. I am surprised that Tom Fritsche, brother of Blue Jacket Dan Fritsche, was not named to any pre-season All-CCHA teams though.

What's up with Bowling Green being ranked last? Ouch. A little trivia for you - did you know that is Rob Blake's alma mater?

Back to OSU, also of note there are a pair of incoming freshman in John Albert and C.J. Severyn who were selected in the NHL draft this past offseason. Albert, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was picked in the sixth round with the 175th selection by the Atlanta Thrashers and Severyn, from Beaver, Pa., was selected in the seventh round by the Calgary Flames with the 186th pick. So we'll keep an eye on those two this year.

For those that have never attended a Ohio State Buckeye's hockey game I encourage you to get out to a game this year. It really is some fantastic hockey. The players can't fight so you'll see more hits in one period than you will in one full NHL game.

Plus you can't beat the cost - for $20 bucks you can bring a family of four and sit in the lower bowl.

Standings

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